Cultural heritage: Community action programme 1997-2000, Raphaël

OBJECTIVE: to establish a Community action programme in the field of cultural heritage to support and supplement the action taken by the Member States in this field. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Decision 2228/97/EC establishing a Community action programme in the field of cultural heritage (the Raphael programme). SUBSTANCE: Raphael is established for a period of 4 years, from 01.01.1997 to 31.12.2000, and ECU 30 m is allocated to it for this period. This allocation is to be reviewed and if necessary adjusted after 2 years. The programme is intended to encourage cooperation between Member States in the field of cultural heritage, while respecting the principle of subsidiarity and bringing Europe's common cultural heritage to the fore. Projects must improve access to the cultural heritage in its European dimension, be of an exemplary character, contribute to the development of better preservation practices and produce a multiplier effect. Projects receiving support must display the emblem of the European Union and mention the source of their financing. Raphael covers the following fields: 1) conservation, safeguarding and development of the European cultural heritage through European cooperation (particularly where the heritage is endangered): setting-up of 'European heritage laboratories' which are of European interest and of exemplary value (monuments, sites of exceptional historic or architectural importance). Support is also available for safeguard projects on common themes (e.g. fountains); 2) support for the exchange of experiences between professionals in the sector and development of advanced techniques applied to heritage: pooling of know-how focusing on innovation and new technologies applicable to heritage disciplines and professions, support for mobility and for the carrying out of research and inquiries into various aspects of heritage; 3) support for improved public access to heritage: development of multimedia tools to present the European heritage, support for events to raise public awareness organized at European level, encouragement of participation by the general public (children, young people, the disadvantaged, people in peripheral or rural areas), support for multilingual presentations at museums, sites, etc., support for transnational cultural itineraries; 4) participation by third countries in certain Raphael projects. The programme is implemented by the Commission, assisted by a committee whose competence varies according to the issue in question (advisory or management). The Commission will seek to ensure that the programme is consistent with and complementary to other compatible Community cultural measures. Raphael is open to the associated countries of Eastern Europe and Cyprus and Malta and other third countries with which the Community has concluded association or cooperation agreements which include cultural clauses. Cooperation with UNESCO or the Council of Europe is likewise sought. After two and a half years of implementation, the Commission is to submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report evaluating Raphael, making appropriate proposals for adjustments to the programme. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 13.10.1997. �